A93085:376
Subjection to Christ in all his ordinances, and appointments, the best means to preserve…
Subjection to Christ in all his ordinances, and appointments, the best means to preserve our liberty. Together with a treatise of ineffectual hearing the word; how we may know whether we have heard the same effectually: and by what means it may be come effectual unto us. With some remarkable passages of his life. By Tho. Shepherd, late pastor of the Church of Christ in Cambridge in New-England. Now published by Mr. Jonathan Michel pastor of the said church in New England.Subjection to Christ in all his ordinances, and appointments, the best means to preserve our liberty. Together with a treatise of ineffectual hearing the word; how we may know whether we have heard the same effectually: and by what means it may be come effectual unto us. With some remarkable passages of his life. By Tho. Shephard, late pastor of the Church of Christ in Cambridge in New-England. Now published by Mr. Jonathan Michell pastor of the said church in New England.
London: printed for John Rothwell, 1652
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Them that are in their unregenerate estate, the Lord only knows how to work on their hearts; they must come to the outward means. I speak to the Saints of God, I leave others to the infinite mercy of the Lord; It is not in him that willeth or runneth, but in the Lord that showeth mercy. In the use of means.
Them that are in their unregenerate estate, the Lord only knowes how to work on their hearts; they must come to the outward meanes. I speak to the Saints of God, I leave others to the infinite mercy of the Lord; It is not in him that willeth or runneth, but in the Lord that sheweth mercy. In the use of meanes.
1. Means. Do not only see thy infirmities and weakness, but pray to God to give thee a heart bleeding under the sense of thy many infirmities. Many times men slight them, and are not sensible of them; I do not say wickednesses and wilfulnesses, but thy infirmities and weaknesses, get a heart mourning under them. A Christian is made up of infirmities and weaknesses, a man would not think there is that in another, which he knows by himself. Oh brethren, labour for a broken heart in the sense of your many infirmities and weaknesses, darkness and enmity, vanity and unsavouriness, ⟨p. 189⟩the Lord will have his time to speak to such a soul. Break up the fallow ground of your hearts, — lest my wrath break out with fire: the Lord hath promised to dwell with the poor and contrite. Look as it was with our Saviour Christ, they brought the sick and the lame ones to him, and virtue went but from Christ to heal them all. Bring thy sick and blind heart to Christ, and virtue shall go forth from Christ to heal it.
1. Meanes. Do not only see thy infirmities and weaknesse, but pray to God to give thee a heart bleeding under the sense of thy many infirmities. Many times men slight them, and are not sensible of them; I do not say wickednesses and wilfulnesses, but thy infirmities and weaknesses, get a heart mourning under them. A Christian is made up of infirmities and weaknesses, a man would not think there is that in another, which he knowes by himself. Oh brethren, labour for a broken heart in the sense of your many infirmities and weaknesses, darknesse and enmity, vanity and unsavourinesse,